Right Whales Hold Their Seat at the Table while Offshore Wind Power Moves Forward in New England

As a wildlife advocate working to advance clean energy, I spend a lot of time talking about “looking forward.” Today, I welcome an opportunity to celebrate this moment, and even reflect back on the groundwork laid in getting here. NWF and our friends at the Conservation Law Foundation and the Natural Resources Defense Council are thrilled to announce anew agreement with Deepwater Wind to protect critically-endangered North Atlantic right whales as plans move forward for much-needed offshore wind power off of southern New England.

Why is this exciting?

1. America needs to rapidly increase our use of renewable energy in order to protect all wildlife from the dangers of a warming world.

Just yesterday, the release of the third report of The National Climate Assessment underscored the urgency of the climate threat and continued sounding the alarm for wildlife, habitat, and future generations. NWF’s senior global warming specialist Patty Glick responded:

That we’re seeing so many changes so rapidly is a call to act now to prevent these changes from overwhelming us in the future. We must confront the underlying cause of climate change by cutting carbon pollution, investing in clean energy and saying no to dirty energy.

Offshore wind power is a massive clean energy source just waiting to be tapped. We have a staggering supply of carbon-free energy off our shores, and always will. The technology is advanced, thanks to two decades of lessons learned in Europe, and is already producing over 6,000 megawatts and 58,000 jobs overseas. A robust offshore wind industry in the US will provide much-needed clean power when and where we need it most, offering a unique opportunity to diversify our energy mix and spur economic development opportunities in both coastal and inland communities. In the shadow of the National Climate Assessment’s sobering reminders, a visionary commitment to harnessing the incredible clean energy resource off our Atlantic coast is more important than ever.

2. Our treasured coastal and marine wildlife will receive the careful protection they deserve during offshore wind power development.

Sunset over Offshore Wind Farm

This unique collaboration confirms that a place of balance is possible, where industry leaders and wildlife advocates can reach a shared goal together – and in fact the goal grows stronger in the process. The agreement provides extensive protections for the North Atlantic right whale, a critically endangered species that migrates along the Atlantic Coast and is very sensitive to underwater noise. Under this agreement, Deepwater Wind pledges to reduce or avoid sound impacts from exploratory activities used to determine where to install wind turbines, such as the construction of temporary towers that measure weather conditions and underwater surveys that assess the geology just beneath the ocean floor.

Endangered species protection is a matter National Wildlife Federation takes very seriously. With fewer than 500 right whales remaining, offshore wind development can and must include strict right whale protections. Today, we commend Deepwater Wind for continuing to lead the way as we work to ensure that strong wildlife protections guide our pursuit of offshore wind power.

3. Congress has an opportunity to spur clean energy forward.

Deepwater Wind’s commitment is a shining example of how offshore wind development and wildlife conservation are compatible, but securing a lease and beginning surveys is only part of the puzzle. To keep making strides requires our leaders on Capitol Hill to do their part, to recognize the significance of this resource, in this moment, and provide the stable investment market every industry needs to get rolling. Yes, we have climate urgency. We also have a solution at the ready, offering an unmatched opportunity to diversify our energy supply with a massive source of local, clean power, with a developer pledging environmental integrity from start to finish.